Coronation, parade setfor Friday

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

One of the area’s longest running festivals will get underway Thursday night in Henning.

After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 83rd annual Henning Festival kicks off on Thursday night with a historic walking tour of downtown Henning. The walking tour will be led by Chris Schuelke, of the Otter Tail County Historical Society, and will include new information about some of Henning’s history, buildings and how it has transformed over the years. A similar walking tour was held a few years ago. The cost to attend the walking tour is $6.

On Friday the streets of Henning will be filled for the annual parade that will get underway at 6 p.m. The kiddie parade will kick things off as it will begin at the city park and march down the parade route. 

Following the parade, the Henning Festival Queen and Little Miss Coronation will be held at the Henning Festival stage. There are four candidates competing for the title of Henning Festival Queen, including Megan Hansen, Alyvia Bunkowski, Grace Hammer and Emma Severson. Six  girls will be competing for the title of Little Miss Henning. 

On Saturday the annual Henning Festival 5k will get underway at 8 a.m. The 5k will be hosted by the EF Trip group as a fundraiser. Registration for the 5k will get underway at 7 a.m. at the Henning Festival stage. The Henning Lions Club breakfast and softball tournament will also get underway at 8 a.m.

The craft and flea market will once again be held at the Henning Festival grounds beginning at 9 a.m., while the Leaf Lakes Association raffle will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beginning at 11 a.m. the streets of Henning will get a little wet with the water wars, before Henning children will be bouncing, jumping and flopping around in the inflatable rides at the festival grounds from 12-4 p.m. 

The afternoon will also feature a number of events including the kids bean bag tournament beginning at 1 p.m., with the adult bean bag tournament set to begin at 2 p.m. 

The demo derby will bring Saturday to a smashing conclusion beginning at 6 p.m., before the fireworks show will light up the Henning skies beginning at 10 p.m. Saturday will also include music and the beer wagon following the demo derby.

Sunday will bring the Henning Festival to a close with the Henning Lions Club breakfast from 8-11 a.m. the craft and flea market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the annual disc golf tournament beginning at 11 a.m.

The highlight of Sunday will once again be the Tri-County Cruisers Car Show that will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features cars and vehicles from across the region and will be held at Amundson Park.